From soaps to Hollywood fame

February 6, 2013 6:30 PM

Photo: Alli Harvey, Getty Images For Stuart Weitzman

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Soap operas aren’t just campy daytime dramas; they’re vehicles that launched careers of many of today’s biggest actors. With cancelled soaps “One Life to Live'' and “All My Children” making their comebacks online this spring, here’s a look at stars who got their start in soaps.

Before Hayden Panettiere starred in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” she was in “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light.” Don’t remember her? Maybe it’s because she looked like... less

Soap operas aren’t just campy daytime dramas; they’re vehicles that launched careers of many of today’s biggest actors. With cancelled soaps “One Life to Live'' and “All My Children” making their ... more

Before “Baywatch'' and “Knight Rider,” there was “The Young and the Restless,” in which David Hasselhoff played a doctor named ''William ‘Snapper’ Foster, Jr.” When? The '70s and early '80s, when Hasselhoff rocked a fro. less

Before “Baywatch'' and “Knight Rider,” there was “The Young and the Restless,” in which David Hasselhoff played a doctor named ''William ‘Snapper’ Foster, Jr.” When? The '70s and early '80s, ... more

Photo: Bob V. Noble, Getty Images

Before “Baywatch'' and “Knight Rider,” there was... Photo-4149600.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

Meg Ryan, with actor Scott Bryce and a pair of very puffy sleeves, in ''As the World Turns'' in 1983.

Meg Ryan, with actor Scott Bryce and a pair of very puffy sleeves, in ''As the World Turns'' in 1983.

Photo: CBS Photo Archive, CBS Via Getty Images

Meg Ryan, with actor Scott Bryce and a pair of very puffy sleeves,... Photo-4149604.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Meg Ryan, 2012.

Meg Ryan, 2012.

Photo: Paul A. Hebert, FilmMagic

Meg Ryan, 2012. Photo-4149605.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Can you guess this actor? These days, he doesn't usually smile in his photos. But back when Ryan Phillipe played Billy Douglas on “One Life to Live” in the ‘90s, he was all grins in his soap portrait. The character was the first gay teen on a daytime soap. less

Can you guess this actor? These days, he doesn't usually smile in his photos. But back when Ryan Phillipe played Billy Douglas on “One Life to Live” in the ‘90s, he was all grins in his soap portrait. The ... more

Photo: Steve Fenn, ABC Via Getty Images

Can you guess this actor? These days, he doesn't usually smile... Photo-4149606.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Ryan Phillippe, 2013.

Ryan Phillippe, 2013.

Photo: Tommaso Boddi, WireImage

Ryan Phillippe, 2013. Photo-4149607.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Julianne Moore also started in soaps, in the show ''As the World Turns'' in the '80s. She's pictured as her character ''Frannie Hughes'' in 1985.

Julianne Moore also started in soaps, in the show ''As the World Turns'' in the '80s. She's pictured as her character ''Frannie Hughes'' in 1985.

Photo: CBS Photo Archive, CBS Via Getty Images

Julianne Moore also started in soaps, in the show ''As... Photo-4149608.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Julianne Moore, 2012.

Julianne Moore, 2012.

Photo: George Pimentel, Getty Images

Julianne Moore, 2012. Photo-4149609.56361 - San Antonio Express-News

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Here’s Mark Hamill in 1972, before “Star Wars” came along and while he was on “General Hospital.”

Here’s Mark Hamill in 1972, before “Star Wars” came along and while he was on “General Hospital.”

Marcia Cross is no stranger to over-the-top TV dramas, with ''Desperate Housewives'' and ''Melrose Place.'' But one of her first roles (pictured) was in “One Life to Live,” in which she played Kate Sanders from 1986 to 1987. less

Marcia Cross is no stranger to over-the-top TV dramas, with ''Desperate Housewives'' and ''Melrose Place.'' But one of her first roles (pictured) was in “One Life to Live,” in which she played Kate Sanders ... more